Closing mechanism for collapsible tubes



Dec. 12, 1933. K|EFER CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed March 9. 1931 W TNESJEJ. y

Patented Dec. 12, 1933 Karl Kiefer, Cincinnati, Ohio; James Arltheinstrom and Hugo Goldsmith, executors of will of said Karl Kiefer, deceased V ApplicationMarch9,"1931. Serial No. 521,054

Claims.

My invention relates especially to mechanism in preparing thefold for the closing tool proper and for centering the tube properly in a some what larger holder. V

5 I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in Which- Figure 1 is a cross section of the mechanism; Fig. 2 a front view of the mechanism; and Fig. 3, a detail in cross section.

The mechanism is applicable to any automatic tube closing machine which has for its object to close the open end of the collapsible't'ube by folding once, or several times, this fold,and applying finally the well-known clip thereto, or to effect a closure such as patented to the applicant in Patent No. 1,624,140, consisting of reverse folding the corners of the tube. r

In Figs; 1 and 2, A is the tube holder, which has a bore somewhat larger than the size of tube which it is to hold and which is one of a plurality of holders such as are used in an automatic machine, connected to each other by links 1. The tube holders may also be located in a circular dial. Either conveying means is used in the art so as to present the tubes to the filling mechanism and subsequently to the closing and clipping mechanism. 7

The tube T, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, fits somewhat loosely into the holders. The difference in diameters is somewhat exaggerated in this draw-1 ing, but ordinarily they should fit loose enough to enable the operator to rapidly feed these tubes at a high speed. A fairly long tube could lean somewhat to one side in these holders and the clip that is applied finally to the tube might come to one side of the tube, which is undesirable.

Or, in the patented closing method (Patent No.

1,624,140), the two corners might not be symmetrical, which is also undesirable. Therefore,

my invention has for its purpose to center the tube properly in respect to the center of the subsequent closing mechanism and spread the tube in the holder so that there is no loose play any more when the folding and clipping mechanism subsequently operates upon the tube. To this purpose I introduce into the tube two fingers, F and F', and from the upper portion of the tube longitudinally as shown in detail in Fig. 3. This will spread the tube in one direction so as to fit snugly into the holder, as shown in Fig. 2. While Fig. 1 shows the tube still loose as far as the other direction is concerned, this is unimportant for the proper working of the subsequent folding and clipping.

In Fig. 2, S is the end of a power shaft that actuates folding and clipping mechanism, or connects to the folding and clipping mechanism. This shaft carries a cam C, shown in Figs. 1 and 2. B, in Figs. 1 and 2, .ispart of the frame of the closing machine and is stationary. Within this frame is a vertical slot 13, and'movable therein is a slide D. D carries a roller 2, which is acted on by the cani C. Slide D is held in the frame B by gibs 3 and 3, held down by screws 4 and 4', so as tobe able to accurately buteasily slide Within the frame B; A spring 5, Fig. l,'which is located in a recess of the frame B is acted upon by a projection 6 of the slide D. This spring holds the slide and its roller 2 against the cam C, so as to follow the outline of this cam. It is seen therefore, that by the rotation of the cam shaft S, slide D is moved vertically up and down during the operation of the machine.

The two fingers F and F having depending portions 15 and angularly disposed portions 16, are swiveled around screws 7 and 7, screwed into slide D. They are kept closed and against the pin 8, by a spiral spring 9, when the slide is at its high point. They however, open when screws 10 and 10' which are mounted on the slide D strike two stationary pins 11 and 11' in their descent. These pins 11 and 11 are connected to the'frame and as soon as these screws 10 and 10' touch them, the fingers spread and produce a longitudinal form of the tubeas shown in Fig.

3. By means of the big difiference in leverage, a very small descent of the slide D will produce a practically horizontal movement of the fingers F and F Within the tube T, which is important when withdrawing these fingers, as no lifting ofthe tube will occur when withdrawing the fingers. The screws 10 and 10 have lock nuts 12 and 12' and they can be adjusted so as to give either finger a lead, if desired, over the other one. It is quite possible by means of my improved mechanism therefore, to make the tube T to lean to one side, if so desired, but ordinarily the adjustability of these fingers is forthe purpose of producing an accurate centering of the tube over the true center of the holder A.

Also, by pre-folding the tube T longitudinally as shown in Fig. 3, the subsequent folder tools will find it much easier to do their work of fiattening out the tube than if they had operated upon the round tube without any pre-fold.

The tubes are often dented at their open end and my mechanism will straighten them out properly besides centering them.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a tube manipulating device, a tube holder, 1.10

on said support, and resilient means for nor mally urging said fingers together.

3. In a tube manipulating device, a tube holder, 2. support, a member slidably mounted' 'on said support, a pair of fingers having depending portions and Portions lerlrid sms d ins ia said fingers being ivotally mounted on said member, resilient means engaging said fingers normally urging the said depending portions to;- ward'eaph other,-stops on said support"loeated to enga e said angularly disposed' portionsand se t d d r yd s s d g i idns on P downw rd jov'e ment of said member, and means for movingsaid member. I 4. In a tube manipulating device, atube holder,

, a support; a member slidably mounted on said support, a pair of fingers having depending portions and portions angularly disposed thereto,

said fingers being pivotally mounted on said member, resilient means engaging said fingers normally urging the said depending portions to ward each other, stops on said support located to engage said angularly disposed portions and separate said downwardly disposed portions upon, downward, movement of said member, means for moving said member, said stops being so. located as to cause spreading of said fingers substantially at the end of the downward moverne'nt of said member.

, 5,, In a tube manipulating device, a tube holder,

asu'pport, a member slidably mounted on said.

support, a pair of fingers having depending portions and portions angularly disposed thereto, said fingers being pivotally mounted on said member, resilient mean-s engaging said fingers normally urging the said depending portions toward each other, stops on said support located tde'hgage said angularly disposed portions and separate said downwardly disposed portions upon 'downward movement of said member, means for moving said membeltfsaid stops being so located as to cause spreadingof said fingers substantially at the end of the downward movement of said member, said angularly disposed portions bearing adjustable means for engagement with said stops.

' KARL KIEFER. 

